City Comparison
Gelsenkirchen vs Tigard
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tigard scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gelsenkirchen
Tigard
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gelsenkirchen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Tigard.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gelsenkirchen's average rent is
64% lower than Tigard's.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Tigard | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,800 | -64% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $350 | $180 | +94% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,670 | $2,800 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 121 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tigard offers 63% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tigard delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gelsenkirchen is estimated at
$28,000 vs $55,000 in Tigard.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $28,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 53,719 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $108,823 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tigard has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Gelsenkirchen.
Gelsenkirchen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tigard leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gelsenkirchen is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Tigard.
From a growth perspective, Tigard is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tigard has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Tigard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,785 | 56,011 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 14.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gelsenkirchen
Advantages
Median apartment purchase prices remain exceptionally affordable at approximately €139 per square foot in the city center per Numbeo data.
Average monthly rental rates are among the lowest in Germany, offering significant cost relief for renters.
Extensive green infrastructure, including the expansive Nordsternpark and Emscher Landscape Park trail networks.
Excellent regional transit connectivity via the Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof and major surrounding autobahns (A2, A40, A42).
Rich cultural and sports heritage anchored by FC Schalke 04 and the distinctive Musiktheater im Revier.
Drawbacks
The city records one of the highest municipal unemployment rates in western Germany, standing around 14.6% per federal labor statistics.
Average disposable household incomes trail significantly behind the national German average.
Socioeconomic challenges persist, including elevated child poverty rates and heavy reliance on state welfare support.
Older industrial housing stock often requires substantial energy efficiency and modernization investments.
Local government budgets face structural deficits, limiting extensive public-led urban enhancement projects.
Tigard
Advantages
Tigard boasts a strong economy with a high number of local jobs and a short commute to major employment centers like Silicon Forest and downtown Portland.
The city offers an exceptional quality of life, with a livability score of 87 out of 100, ranking in the 99th percentile of all US cities.
Tigard provides abundant green spaces, including over 16 miles of paved trails and nearly 550 acres of parks, such as Cook Park and the Fanno Creek Trail.
Healthcare and utilities costs are lower than in most U.S. cities, contributing to overall affordability despite higher housing costs.
The public schools in Tigard are highly rated, making it a desirable location for families.
Drawbacks
Tigard has a higher overall crime rate compared to the national average, primarily driven by property crime in commercial areas.
The cost of living in Tigard is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to housing expenses.
Traffic congestion on major routes like US 217 and Highway 99W can be very heavy during rush hour.
Despite public transit options, Tigard is largely car-dependent, with limited light rail access in many areas.
Some commercial corridors in Tigard can feel dated, and the city may have a less distinct community identity compared to some other suburbs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gelsenkirchen
#96North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.72%
Unemployment
14.60%
Livability
65
Business
54
Tigard
#505Oregon, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
121
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
87
Business
68
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